You know, I'm happy we have Obama in office. And I love Ze Frank. Even this angrigami thing looks pretty neat. But I didn't like the 52 to 48 with love. It should have been from 52 to 48 with smirk. Put yourself in their shoes - how would you be taking it if McCain was in office and someone threw all those pictures up on the internet telling us how much they loved us, right after handing our collective asses to us? I learned a lot from playing sports growing up, and one of them was how to win with grace. That just smacked of all kinds of wrong to me.posted by allkindsoftime at 9:46 PM on December 21, 2008 [6 favorites]

"Devour the whole carcass"? What does that mean? Is the angrigami going to stop all the snubbed McCain supporters from being angry? Or just make them look stupid?

This is my first time hearing of 52 to 48 with love. I understand the need for reconciliation, but I don't think that "love" is really the appropriate word to describe an offering of reconciliation. The images posted on the 52 to 48 site have a touchy-feely sort of aesthetic to them; I'm not terribly surprised that a lot of McCain supporters took offense to it.posted by LogicalDash at 9:55 PM on December 21, 2008

Interestingly, my "From 52 to 48 with a big, steaming helping of Shut the Fuck Up, now it's MY turn, Nazis!" project provoked only anger and outrage.posted by nanojath at 9:59 PM on December 21, 2008 [15 favorites]

(and I'd like to know how to make that crazy expanding flower thingy in the gif at the end of the second page)posted by nanojath at 10:01 PM on December 21, 2008 [2 favorites]

I learned a lot from playing sports growing up, and one of them was how to win with grace.

Apparently that a 4 point spread≠an ass handing wasn't one of them. I don't really pick up a smirky and crowing vibe off many of these, and regardless of my personal opinions re: the true depth of the red/blue schism and CultureWar®TM in general, the goofy sincerity makes me smile.

I, for one, welcome our new Purple American Overlords.

But not if they're inspired by that Rick Moody book, which was pretty crap, IIRC.posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:12 PM on December 21, 2008

Gore-igami: folding paper for 8 years instead of being president.posted by netbros at 10:20 PM on December 21, 2008

I know there's a bit of a backlash against Frank, but you know, I sure as fuck miss watching his videoblog every day. His whole project--getting people to participate in creative projects by removing usual barriers and inhibitors, while simultaneously allowing and even encouraging dissent and criticism--is so... right. Whenever I hear about his projects like this nowadays, I'm always like, "I wish he still had his show. As cool as this is, it'd be even cooler to hear him talk about it in person."posted by roll truck roll at 10:23 PM on December 21, 2008 [1 favorite]

Good game
Good game
Yeah right
Good game
You suck
Good game
Good game
Good game
Yeah right
Good game
You suck
Good gameposted by Senor Cardgage at 10:26 PM on December 21, 2008 [14 favorites]

It provoked anger and outrage because Obama actually won 53-46. Suckaz.posted by one_bean at 10:31 PM on December 21, 2008

So, he created angrigami as an attempt to devour the entire carcass, bones, bile and all.

Or to mock it. This isn't really a higher art form than watching Yahtzee or Seanbaby ridicule the people who send them hate mail. Hell, maybe it's lower - at least you know Yahtzee reads the hate mail he criticizes, since he quotes it. Plus, they're actually funny, and they're mocking people who actually deserve it - who get all bent out of shape over a bad video game review, instead of people who might be a little unhappy about a regime that resulted in thousands of deaths and untold suffering.posted by Mitrovarr at 10:56 PM on December 21, 2008

While I personally felt that from 52 to 48 with love went a bit awry (because the urge to smirk and do a victory dance was pretty strong in my house) I do love the angrigami. It's one of many reasons why I think Ze Frank is such a charmer, these little witty things just win me over time and time again.

That and I love origami, of course, so I'm spreading the word to my origami peeps and hopefully we'll have some really good angrigami on his page soon :)posted by EricGjerde at 11:10 PM on December 21, 2008

Some Obama supporters wanted to remind everyone that we're still one country.

Some people who didn't like Obama responded with profanity and stupidity, because really, there's one in every crowd.

I like Ze Frank a lot, but this is starting to get into meta-meta-meta-Homestar Runner joke territory.posted by 1adam12 at 1:57 AM on December 22, 2008

a 4 point spread≠an ass handing

From CNN just now:
Obama: 66,882,230 (53%)
McCain: 58,343,671 (46%)

7 point spread.

But we don't elect Presidents by popular vote, we do it by electors. Obama won that contest 365 to 173, which is a 68% vs 32% win.

Anyway, the angrigami. I didn't get a smirky vibe from the original either, but this thing sends a mixed message. Knowing the context helps, but if I came across a hate mail in the shape of a butterfly out "in the wild" I wouldn't know it had been transformed. Maybe somebody just doesn't see it as incongruous.posted by DU at 4:42 AM on December 22, 2008 [2 favorites]

I'd assume that a lot of the hate mail would be from Obama supporters like me who think the original project is pointless attention whoring. Now instead of listening to this critique dude prints out the responses and makes them into trifles. And the turkeys gobble in praise of his healing spirit.

Hey, you! Quit messing around and get back to work!posted by Potomac Avenue at 5:17 AM on December 22, 2008

not smirking in the slightest - completely sincere - and yes, it's completely symptomatic that people are projecting smirkiness onto it. the best the left was able to do for 8 years was to react, passive-aggressively, and the smirk is the perfect symbol of that ressentiment. it's not 100% exactly what i would have done, aesthetically, but thats more than ok. a fascinating peek into the zeitgeist.

after 8 years of institutionalized insincerity and alcoholic bullying, people are ready to be awkward and sincere. folks are mad about it on both sides, which is beautiful. we've spent the last two administrations living in daily fear of angry people, so this thawing out and unwillingness to be cowed by perceived disapproval is a tremendously positive sign. the alcoholics are out of office!posted by facetious at 6:11 AM on December 22, 2008

If you voted for Obama, you didn't win. You weren't running. It isn't up to the 52 to reach out to the 48, because the 52 are in no greater position of power than the 48 are. The reality for those who voted for Obama, as it was for those who voted for Bush in 2000 expecting something completely different from what they got, is that it is still us vs. them. Us = 52 + 48. Them = the people in the administration and the people behind them, many of whom are still anonymous. So don't act like you won anything.posted by Pastabagel at 6:16 AM on December 22, 2008 [2 favorites]

That's the spirit of reconciliation we were looking for!posted by smackfu at 6:24 AM on December 22, 2008

Furthermore, the mathematics are weak. Don't worry, I've been trained.

And while I voted, let's not hear any righteous complaints about how those who didn't are bad and should feel bad. Many people simply have better or more pressing things to do with their time, and others are disenfranchised for one reason or the other: because political parties disingenuously challenged their registration or ballot, because they were not born in this country, because of the criminal justice system, or because they happen to be underaged.posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 6:39 AM on December 22, 2008 [2 favorites]

Many people simply have better or more pressing things to do with their time...

Gillian: I don't pay attention to politics.
Jubal: You should, it's slightly more important than breathing.
Gillian: I don't pay attention to that either.
Jubal: Stop interrupting while I'm pontificating.

(quoted from memory because I don't see it online.)posted by DU at 6:59 AM on December 22, 2008

s/more/less/
s/Gillian/Jillian/gposted by DU at 7:01 AM on December 22, 2008

The reality for those who voted for Obama, as it was for those who voted for Bush in 2000 expecting something completely different from what they got, is that it is still us vs. them. Us = 52 + 48. Them = the people in the administration and the people behind them, many of whom are still anonymous. So don't act like you won anything.

Welp, unless Joe Biden turns out to be Dick Cheney in a mask, all Scooby-Doo style, I'm gonna have to disagree with that. I'm pickin' up what you're layin' down, but if you only count a perfect victory as a win, you ain't gonna win much.posted by Amanojaku at 8:39 AM on December 22, 2008

theonlycooltim - really do you want 5 year olds voting? i don't want thomas the tank engine starting wars with the isle of man.

and just to be a political asshole - looks like some of those people on the pdf file have some pretty foul things to say about obama and those who voted for him. i'd like to point out 4 or 5 years ago Bush pundits would say things like "it's treason to question your president in a time of war" if a liberal questioned the war or his policies, or "if you don't stand behind the president you're helping the terrorists", etc. I like how these maxims apply when there's a republican in office, but not the other way round. It's perfectly ok to play political dissident to a democratic president, I suppose, because "he doesn't represent the will of the people" or some such hogwash, even though this time around the man in office actually won the popular vote.

that's all I have to say,and i'll stop being smug for awhile.posted by camdan at 8:44 AM on December 22, 2008 [3 favorites]

....I notice that neither the 52 or the 48 has anything to say to the 1 or 2 or whatever it is who voted for the third-party candidates.

You know, just thought I'd mention that, since Unity was ostensibly the point.posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:47 AM on December 22, 2008

The U.S. population is estimated to be almost 306 million.

Technically correct, but not very useful. How many of those 306M are eligible to vote? Also, what Amanojaku said.posted by spacely_sprocket at 8:52 AM on December 22, 2008

The problem with written words is that anyone can put their own spin on them. Strike that, the problem with any words.

When someone is angry at The Other Side, sincere words can come across bitter or snarky. A smile can be condescending. A handshake and good wishes sent out of pity.

-----

The attempt to "devour the entire carcass, bones, bile and all" reminds me of the Soul Eater episode of The X-Files. Which in turn makes me feel gross and uneasy. Now origami is ruined for me. Thanks, Ze Frank, thanks a lot.posted by filthy light thief at 8:53 AM on December 22, 2008

Love the concept of taking origami and adding an emotion, like anger and making angrogami. cool idea. Love this pic of the demure looking Siamese cat in a hat.posted by nickyskye at 9:16 AM on December 22, 2008

theonlycooltim - really do you want 5 year olds voting?

Why not? For example, many adults' voting thought process seems to basically be "I've been a Republican/Democrat my whole life so I'm going to press that button," and that thought process is no better, and probably often worse, than a 5 year old is capable of.
How many of those 306M are eligible to vote?

The point is that this 52-48 dichotomy is false. It's really 22-19-(third party candidates)-(the majority of the population who didn't or isn't allowed to vote). And then it's tribalism anyway. I voted for Obama myself, but for sure I'm not proud of it (Filling in a scantron is not an accomplishment and I didn't have to go through any epic struggle or anything to vote.) and I don't go around thinking "I'm a 52 (or even a 22) and they're The Other."posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 10:15 AM on December 22, 2008

I'm not even a U.S. citizen (nor a U.S. resident) and I can't help smirking over Obama's victory. I suppose it comes from the last eight years of utterly vile bullshit, smugness and bullying I witnessed coming from the U.S. Right. The Bush League couldn't even win graciously; I certainly don't expect them to lose with any sense of dignity.

I know it does no long-lasting good to mock the losing side, but after the last near-decade of putting up with Coulter-esque arrogance and "we're winning, suck it up Bobo!"-type commentary from the Bushies, I find it deeply pleasureable to rub their fucking faces in the big steaming peanut-laden shit I just took on their collective desk.posted by illiad at 12:35 PM on December 22, 2008

Remember, this is the bunch that slapped the "Don't blame me..." stickers on their cars during the 90's. These aren't good losers.posted by Pollomacho at 1:04 PM on December 22, 2008

theonlycooltim - really do you want 5 year olds voting?

Why not? For example, many adults' voting thought process seems to basically be "I've been a Republican/Democrat my whole life so I'm going to press that button," and that thought process is no better, and probably often worse, than a 5 year old is capable of.

How many of those 306M are eligible to vote?

The point is that this 52-48 dichotomy is false. It's really 22-19-(third party candidates)-(the majority of the population who didn't or isn't allowed to vote).

It's not a false dichotomy if your entire project is about Obama Voters reaching out to McCain Voters*, because that pretty much encompasses only those people that voted for Obama or McCain. Sure, if this was some Obama Voters Reaching Out to Everyone Else; including Children, the Lazy, the Stoned, the Forgetful, the Unregistered, the Felonious, and the 1.4 Percent of 2008 Voters who Collectively Voted for Third Party Candidates Project, the numbers would be completely off. But it's not that sort of project, so your nitpicking isn't making a whole lot of sense.

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